Latest Posts
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Big Questions Online
A new e-zine, Big Questions Online, opened today and I have a piece there, The Tao of Aidan. Thanks to Rod Dreher for the opportunity to tell my son's story again. Continue reading
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Nothing good will come of this
That is: the destruction of the old alleyways – hutong – around Gulou (the Drum Tower) neighborhood in Beijing. I understand the complaints of local residents, who have to put up with substandard housing, but a more organic, grass-roots process… Continue reading
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The De (Te) – 德 – of Acting
I really thought summer would afford more time to blog. But that is not happening. The combination of a couple of writing projects, the play and various and sundry demands, has taken me away from this site. But this morning… Continue reading
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The Tao of Our Town
On our first day of rehearsals our director talked for a bit about the themes of Our Town. He asked: “Why Our Town?” That is, why should a well-established professional theater company produce a play that just about every… Continue reading
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In the company of actors
This summer I am acting. I have a small part in a regional theater production. Rehearsals began yesterday and I want to write a bit about the experience, but I am going to do so in a circumspect manner, to… Continue reading
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A New Look
I'm trying out a new blog design… not too original, though the banner is from a photo I took this March in Beijing, inside the Imperial Palace, gu gong….It's the first change of design I have tried since the blog… Continue reading
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Confucius on Strategy
Analects 13.17; When he was regent in Chu Fu, Adept Hsia asked about governing, and the Master said: "Don't rush things, and don't think about small gains. If you rush around, your efforts will lead nowhere. And if you worry… Continue reading
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Another Taoist July 4th…
My annual reflection on the day: It may seem improbable but I think we can find a Taoist angle on the US Independence Day, July 4th, holiday. Patriotism and nationalism, which are basically what July 4th is all about,… Continue reading
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Effective Leadership
I am, finally, returning to my book, which is pretty much and extension of the theme of this blog: ancient Chinese thought in modern American life. I am on chapter six, which deals with Daoist and Confucian views of public… Continue reading
The Useless Tree 